Tabletop Torch Made from a Log and Method of Use Thereof

ABSTRACT

A tabletop torch comprised of an upright wooden log with a upwardly facing top surface that has a plurality of wick bores drilled vertically into it is described. The wick bores have wicks received in them through which to ignite and sustain the flame of the torch. Additionally the top surface is concave and includes a plurality of smaller shallower holes drilled downwardly across its surface. These holes along with the wick bores and the concave surface serve as reservoirs for candle wax and as the wax therein and on ignites the individuals flames from the wick join into a single larger flame.

RELATED REFERENCES

The present application incorporates by reference and claims priority toU.S. Provisional Application No. 63/110,921 filed on Nov. 6, 2020entitled “The Log Candle” and having the same inventorship.

BACKGROUND

Since prehistoric time, people have enjoyed communing around a fire,such as a campfire. Unfortunately, campfires can present a fire hazardespecially in densely populated or wooded areas where an errant embercould cause an uncontrolled fire that threatens or destroys landscapingand residences. Accordingly, recreational fires are often highlyregulated through covenants and local ordinances minimizing thecircumstances and conditions in which a person or gathering of peoplemay enjoy a recreational fire.

Contained raised firepits and enclosed patio fireplaces, such aschimeneas, are often utilized on patios and decks, but even these arebanned in certain locales. They can also consume copious amounts of woodthat may be difficult to come by and/or expensive especially in urbanand suburban neighborhoods. Often traditional patio fireplaces andfirepits are not particularly portable and cannot be easily moved fromtable to table or transported to other locations. Further, althoughsafer than traditional campfires, the risk of an ember being wafted ontodry grass, dry leaves or other combustibles in its general vicinityremains.

For most, the only opportunity to enjoy a flame on a deck or patio islimited to the use of candles. And while multi-wick candles do exist,the multiple discreet flames emanating from each wick is aesthetically apoor substitute for a lively larger flame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric front view of a tabletop torch and accruementsaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the tabletop torch according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the tabletop torch according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a isometric view illustrating the tabletop torch at initiallighting according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view illustrating the tabletop torch after a warmup period according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a circular flow chart illustrating the use of an embodiment ofthe tabletop torch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a tabletop torch comprisedof an upright wooden log base with a upwardly facing top surface thathas a plurality of wick bores drilled vertically into it. The wick boreshave wicks received in them through which to initially ignite andthereafter assist in sustaining the flame(s) of the torch. Additionallythe top surface is often concave and includes a plurality of smallershallower reservoir holes drilled downwardly across its surface. Theseholes along with the wick bores and the concave surface serve asreservoirs for candle wax and as the wax therein and thereon ignites,the individuals flames from the various wicks join into a single largerflame.

In use, the wax soaked wicks are initially lit and the heat from theindividual flames melt the wax contained in the wicks and the wickbores. With time, the heat melts the surrounding wax contained on and inthe concave surface and in the reservoir holes drilled therein. Aftermelting, the liquid wax continues to increase in temperature untilreaching a temperature that supports burning. The flame from the variouswicks merge and a larger flame spreads across the concave surface fueledby the molten wax.

The resulting flame more resembles that of a campfire than a candle;however, because the primary material being burned is wax, it is largelysmoke and soot free. Typically, the wood top surface does not burnappreciably but the surface can become charred, especially when the waxis running low, and more concave. Occasionally, pieces of solid wax canbe added to the concave surface. Depending on the size of the flame thewax quickly melts and replenishes the wick bores, as well as the surfacereservoir holes. In some embodiments, pieces of wax and a pair of tongsare provided to allow observers to add wax pieces to the torch. The waxpieces can be in a variety of shapes and sizes such that adding watchpieces to the fire and watching the shapes melt adds to the enjoyment ofobserving the burning torch. As can be appreciated, the placement of waxpieces, as well as the amount of wax added, can affect the size anddynamics of the flame.

To extinguish the tabletop torch, a person typically places the coverover the burning log base and lowers it back in place. As long as thecandle is properly fed sufficient amounts of wax to prevent the wicksand the wood from burning, the torch can provide up to hundreds of hoursof usage.

Terminology

The terms and phrases as indicated in quotation marks (“ ”) in thissection are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in thisTerminology section applied to them throughout this document, includingin the claims, unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further,as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of theword or phrase's case, to the singular and plural variations of thedefined word or phrase.

The term “or” as used in this specification and the appended claims isnot meant to be exclusive; rather the term is inclusive, meaning eitheror both.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”,“another embodiment, “a preferred embodiment”, “an alternativeembodiment”, “one variation”, “a variation” and similar phrases meanthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment or variation, is included in at least anembodiment or variation of the invention. The phrase “in oneembodiment”, “in one variation” or similar phrases, as used in variousplaces in the specification, are not necessarily meant to refer to thesame embodiment or the same variation.

The term “couple” or “coupled” as used in this specification andappended claims refers to an indirect or direct physical connectionbetween the identified elements, components, or objects. Often themanner of the coupling will be related specifically to the manner inwhich the two coupled elements interact.

The term “directly coupled” or “coupled directly,” as used in thisspecification and appended claims, refers to a physical connectionbetween identified elements, components, or objects, in which no otherelement, component, or object resides between those identified as beingdirectly coupled.

The term “approximately,” as used in this specification and appendedclaims, refers to plus or minus 10% of the value given.

The term “about,” as used in this specification and appended claims,refers to plus or minus 20% of the value given.

The terms “generally” and “substantially,” as used in this specificationand appended claims, mean mostly, or for the most part.

Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left,right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front andlateral are relative to each other and are dependent on the specificorientation of an applicable element or article, and are usedaccordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiments and arenot necessarily intended to be construed as limiting.

The term “unitary” as used herein refers to an item or article that isformed as a single piece as opposed to an item fabricated from separatepieces that are subsequently joined together.

An Embodiment of a Tabletop Torch

An embodiment of a tabletop torch 100 comprising a upright log base 105are shown in FIGS. 1-5. The log used in the fabrication of the log base(also “log section”) can be of any suitable type of wood in a variety ofdiameters. As shown the bark has been left on the log for aestheticsalthough variations with the bark removed are also known. Duringfabrication, the log is cut to a desired length with a flat base orbottom side and a slice of about 0.7-1.2″ thick is cut off the top endof the remaining log to form a cover 110 and the torch's log base. Theresulting top surface of the log base is spaced from and generallyparallel to the bottom side. As can be in FIG. 1, a hole is typicallydrilled proximate the center of the cover on its topside and a twigglued into the hole to serve as a handle 115.

In at least one variation, the tabletop torch is provided with a plate120 on which the log base 105 is set, a plurality of solid wax pieces125 often in a variety of colors and shapes, and a pair of tongs 130,typically metal, which can be used to add wax to the top of the logwhile the torch is in use. Often the pieces of wax are arranged aroundthe log on the plate where they are easily accessible.

The top surface of the log base 105 is shown in FIG. 2 and is describedherein with further reference to the cross section of FIG. 3. Generally,the top surface of the log is prepared to act as a reservoir for meltedor molten wax. Solidified melted wax 150 is illustrated in FIG. 2. Insome variations, as shown in FIG. 3, the surface comprises a generallyflat horizontal outer lip 160 with the majority of the surface inside ofthe lip forming a slightly to moderately concave portion 165. Theconcave shape helps hold and pool the melted wax thereon. As can beappreciated, the concavity of the surface increases naturally with useof the torch as the surface becomes charred and slowly burns away.

Throughout the concave portion 165, a series of reservoir holes 145 areprovided to further hold and pool molten wax 150. The size and depth ofthe holes can vary but they are generally, although not necessarily,relatively shallow (less than 0.50″ deep and more preferably about 0.25″deep and about 0.25″ in diameter in some variations). Generally, themore reservoir holes provided the longer the burn time of the torch andthe larger the flame created.

To facilitate initial burning of the torch 100 and to help maintain thetorch especially when the wax 150 in the reservoirs has yet to melt orhas been largely consumed during use, a plurality of wicks 135 aredistributed over the concave portion 165 of the log's surface. In theillustrated embodiments, five wicks 135 are shown but the actual numbercan vary from as low as one depending on the diameter of the log base105. Typically, at least one wick is provided at the center of theconcave portion, such that molten wax 150 will tend to pool around it.

The wicks 135 are received in wick bores 140 drilled relatively deeplyinto the log base 105. In general, the wick bores are drilled to a depthabout 1-1.5″ less than the height of the log base, and typically atleast two thirds the length of the log base. The wick bores aregenerally larger in diameter than the reservoir holes (about 0.75″ inthe illustrated embodiment) and act not only as holders for the wick butas additional reservoirs for wax, such that molten wax tends to flowinto and fill the remaining volume of the bores not taken up by wicks.

The wicks 135 are substantially the length of and generally a little bitlonger than the wick bores 140 into which they are received. Theytypically have a diameter a little bit less than the diameter of thewick bores but wide enough that they are supported in the bores in avertical upright fashion. For instance, the wicks received in a 0.75″wick bore are typically about 0.50″ in diameter, and the wicks receivedin a 0.5″ wick bore are about 0.38″ in diameter. The wicks can be madeof any suitable material, such as cotton, sisal, jute and fiberglass,and are typically comprise a twisted or braided rope.

The wax 125 & 150 used with the torch can be of any suitable type, butcandle wax that burns cleanly and does not smoke is preferred in mostembodiments and variations. The torch is typically fabricated anddelivered with the wicks 135 saturated with wax and wick bores 140filled with wax. Further, at least some of the concave portion 165 ofthe log base surface and the associated reservoir holes 145 are coveredor filled with wax 150. The torch is also typically provided with aplurality of solid wax pieces 125 of differing sizes that can be addedto the torch as needed or desired. In some variations, the wax may bescented.

A Method of Fabricating an Embodiment of the Tabletop Torch

First, a suitable log is identified having a suitable diameter andaesthetically pleasing characteristics. The log can be from any one of anumber of types of trees both coniferous or deciduous. The log is cut toan appropriate length so that the desired height of the log base 105will be roughly similar to its diameter. The length should not be toolong relative to the diameter as to create a risk that knocking thetorch 100 could cause it to tip over. The bottom of the log should besubstantially planar and generally perpendicular to the log base'slength.

Next, a slice about 0.7-1.2″ thick is cutoff the top of the cut logforming the log base 105 and its top or cover 110. A small hole isdrilled into the top surface of the cover and a handle 115 is insertedand affixed therein. Typically, the handle can comprise a suitably sizedtwig.

The top surface of the log base 105 is formed by grinding, sanding orotherwise working it to configure a concave portion 165 surrounded by aflat perimeter lip 160 about 0.5-1.0″ wide. The wick bores 140 andreservoir holes 145 can be drilled, and then appropriately sized wicks135 can be lowered into place.

After the wicks 135 are placed and all the bores and holes 140&145drilled, molten wax can be poured over the wicks to saturate them andfill the remainder of the volume of the wick bores 140. Overflow wax 150acts to fill many if not all of the reservoir holes 145 and covers thesurface of the concave portion 165.

The torch is then packaged typically with a plate 120 on which it can beused, a plurality of wax pieces 125 that can be used to feed the torchwhen it is being used, and a pair of tongs 130 to facilitate adding waxto the fire.

A Method of Using an Embodiment of the Tabletop Torch

With reference to the Flow chart of FIG. 6 and FIGS. 4&5, use of thetorch is described.

Firstly, the plate 120 containing the torch 100 is placed on a suitablesurface. The flames produced by the torch can be large and extend 6-10″above the log base's top surface. The area surrounding the torch shouldbe clear of combustibles. Further, given the nature of the open flame,use indoors is not recommended. While the torch can be used without theplate, use of the plate is advised to provide for greater stability andto contain any molten wax overflow.

As indicated in block 205 of FIG. 6, the cover 110 is removed from thelog base 105. The various wicks 135 are then lit typically with a matchor lighter creating an individual flame 170 for each wick as shown inFIG. 4. As can be appreciated the wicks are rather large at about0.38-0.5″ in diameter for many embodiments and variations, and as such,can create a significant amount of heat. Overtime, the heat will meltthe surrounding wax 150, and typically after 5-20 minutes), the moltenwax contained on the concave portion and in the reservoir holes willbegin to burn causing the individual flames of each wick to combine into a single large flame 175 as shown in FIG. 5.

Overtime, the molten wax 150 burns off, and additional wax must be addedto the torch to maintain the flame as indicated by block 215. As can beappreciated, more wax contained in the reservoir holes 145 and concaveportion 165 typically results in a larger flame; whereas, using less waxcan result in a smaller flame. The user and observers can control tosome extent the size of the flame based on how much wax is added to thelog base's top surface. Wax is typically added in the form of providedsolid wax pieces 125. The solid wax pieces can be in variety of sizesand shapes from small to large, such that a user can place both theamount of wax he/she wants one the torch as well as where on the torchhe/she desires the wax to be added. The user can further choose piecesof particular shapes that he/she wants to watch melt.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

The various embodiments and variations thereof, illustrated in theaccompanying Figures and/or described above, are merely exemplary andare not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is to beappreciated that numerous other variations of the invention have beencontemplated, as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art,given the benefit of this disclosure. All variations of the inventionthat read upon appended claims are intended and contemplated to bewithin the scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A tabletop torch comprising: a generally cylindrical logsection having a substantially flat horizontal bottom surface and topsurface vertically spaced from the bottom surface and being generallyparallel to the bottom surface, the top surface including a concaveportion slopping downwardly to proximate a center axis of the logsection, the log section having one or more wick bores extendinggenerally vertically into the log section from the concave portion; oneor more wicks, each wick of the one or more wicks being received in awick bore of the one or more wick bores and extending substantially thelength of the wick bore; and wax, the wax saturating each wick of theone or more wicks, filling a volume of each wick bore of the one or morewick bores not taken up by a wick of the one or more wicks, and pooledon the concave portion.
 2. The tabletop torch of claim 1, wherein theone or more wicks comprise a plurality of wicks and the one or more wickbores comprise a plurality of wick bores.
 3. The tabletop torch of claim1, wherein the log section has a log length, and each long bore of theone or more long bores has a bore length, the bore length being at leasttwo thirds the log length.
 4. The tabletop torch of claim 1, wherein thetop surface further includes a rim portion, the rim portion surroundingthe concave portion and being substantially horizontal.
 5. The tabletoptorch of claim 1 furthering including a cover, the cover being a portionof a log from which the log section is derived.
 6. The tabletop torch ofclaim 5, wherein the cover further includes a handle, the handlecomprising a wood twig.
 7. The tabletop torch of claim 2, wherein thelog section further comprises a plurality of reservoir holes extendingdownwardly from and distributed about the concave portion with the waxat least partially filling at least some of the plurality of reservoirholes.
 8. The tabletop torch of claim 7, wherein the reservoir holes arerelatively having a depth of less than about 0.50″.
 9. The table toptorch of claim 2 in combination with a plurality of individual solid waxpieces.
 10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the plurality ofindividual wax pieces comprises a variety of different shapes and sizes.11. The combination of claim 10, further including a plate for receivingthe log section thereon, and a pair of tongs.
 12. A method of operationof the combination of claim
 9. The method comprising: lighting each wickof the plurality of wicks causing a wick flame to emanate from eachwick; melting the wax pooled on the concave portion by heat from eachwick flame; igniting the wax pooled on the concave portion by one ormore of each wick flame causing each of the wick flames to merge into asingle large flame.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprisingplacing one or more pieces of wax onto the concave portion, and meltingthe one or more wax pieces by heat from the large flame.
 14. The methodof claim 12, further comprising placing a cover over the top surfaceextinguishing the large flame.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein thecover is a portion of a log from which the log section is derived.
 16. Atabletop torch comprising: a generally cylindrical log section having(i) a substantially flat horizontal bottom surface, (ii) a top surfacevertically spaced from the bottom surface and being generally parallelto the bottom surface, (iii) a plurality of reservoir holes extendingdownwardly from and distributed about the top surface, and (iv) aplurality of wick bores extending generally vertically into the logsection from the concave portion; a plurality of wicks, each wick of theplurality of wicks being received in a wick bore of the plurality ofwick bores and extending substantially the length of the wick bore; andwax, the wax saturating each wick of the one or more wicks, filling thereservoir holes and a volume of each wick bore of the plurality of wickbores not taken up by the plurality of wicks, and pooled on the topsurface.
 17. The table top torch of claim 16, wherein at least a portionof the top surface is concave.
 18. The table top torch of claim 16, incombination with a plate for receiving the log section thereon, waxpieces, and a cover, the cover being a portion of a log from which thelog section is derived.
 19. A method of operation of the combination ofclaim
 16. The method comprising: lighting each wick of the plurality ofwicks causing a wick flame to emanate from each wick; melting the wax inthe plurality of reservoir holes and pooled on the top surface by heatfrom each wick flame; igniting the wax by one or more of each wick flamecausing each of the wick flames to merge into a single large flame. 20.The method of claim 19, further comprising placing one or more pieces ofwax onto the top surface, and melting the one or more wax pieces by heatof the large flame.